Jump to content

2010 Sierra Wt With Punctured Condensor

gravitywell

Recommended Posts

gravitywell Enthusiast

gravitywell

Posted
Posted

I went on a road trip last weekend, had the windows cracked most of the way, I rarely use my AC. Somewhere along the way, it started drizzling and I closed the windows, and -attempted- to turn the ac on. I pushed the fancy snowflake button and the orange indicator light just flashed at me and went off. I tried again with the same result. I cracked the windows again, and did my best not to suffocate or drown.

 

I did a few searches in free time on my phone and came up with a few potential results, of which included outside temperature sensors not allowing me to turn on AC, and empty freon.

 

I got the truck to the dealer today, since I have 16k on it and she's still very much under warranty. After an hour, they came and got me, took me into the shop and showed me that the condenser behind the grille had been punctured by something. It was a small mark, probably the size of a BB or smaller. The technician explained that he tried to put Freon in it twice and both times it hissed and leaked out almost instantly through the hole.

 

They need almost $900 to fix it, because it was a road hazard and not something faulty with the truck.

 

I spoke to the technician about the truck and the design of the very open very unprotecting front grille, and asked his opinion. He couldn't say much, and I understand, but the fact that I can fit my forearm through the grille is a bit neglectful when a fragile condenser can be punctured by a rock and the grille is open enough to fit an arm or golf ball through.

 

So, I called GMC Customer Support, spoke to a kind woman named Iys (Pronounced Ice) and she put me on hold for a while after hearing my concerns about a design flaw that lead to the allowance of a rock to penetrate and ruin my condenser. After returning, she came explained that it was still considered a road hazard issue, but was pursuing the incident with the dealer to see if they would assist or possibly honor the warranty anyway.

 

So now, I'm waiting until potentially Monday evening for a response from GMC to see if they can help with this.

 

Does anyone else have a suggestion? I'm certainly looking at a new grille after this entire incident, but I don't have AC in my barely 1yr old truck, and in my opinion, wouldn't have happened in the first place if the grille weren't open as it is.

mhenshaw Senior Enthusiast

mhenshaw

Posted
Posted

That sucks that it happened and I can see your pain. I would fix it myself, get the condensor off ebay and pay someone to recharge the system.

 

If you are unhappy with the grille buy a billet grille or get a denali grille.

 

As far as the grille being very open on the GMC is like saying the headlights are too big and get hit by too many rocks. Its the design of the truck and I can say a 1000 design features that don't protect my truck. My main design problem is the fenders don't flare around the tires and I get lots of rock chips.

pm26 Senior Enthusiast

pm26

Posted
Posted

The same thing happened on my brother's 1998 Nissan Maxima when the car was only about a year old. A rock or something hit the A/C condenser and punctured it, causing the refrigerant to leak out. There is a pressure switch in the system which will not let the A/C compressor turn on if there is no refrigerant (and consequently low pressure) in the system. I ended up buying a new condenser from a Nissan dealer online, along with the receiver/dryer. The whole repair cost about $ 500, which was exactly the insurance deductible. However, if you have a comprehensive coverage with zero deductible, they may cover it.

Doug_Scott Senior Enthusiast

Doug_Scott

Posted
Posted

hang a screen behind the grille if you want to protect it, but you have to make sure it does not get plugged with debris because that will reduce air flow through the condenser, causing your a/c to stop working. My 08 G5 had a punctured condensor that I noticed the same week I got the car, it was fixed under warranty though. That car had a very small grille opening, still got punctured, neighbour had a 08 G6 that also had a punctured condenser, and an even smaller grille opening.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Latest Articles

  • Posts

    • PhilB
      No 12v outlets in 2026 gmc Sierra

      By PhilB · Posted

      It is possible to add your own 12v outlet to your truck.  Check out this video:   I verified via GM Upfitters that pin 31 is the same on the 1500 trucks.  The wire is GM part number 84779405.   You can get the GM 12v outlet from Amazon  https://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Accessory-Receptacle-25774623-13549530/dp/B0F1H9YRGF EWAY 12 Volt Power Adapter for GM   https://www.amazon.com/EWAY-Chevrolet-Silverado-Cigarette-Ignition/dp/B0915RRW6Q/ref=sr_1_1?   I just haven't figured out a good place to put the 12v outlet in my truck.   Some people are getting USB-C to 12V adapters  https://www.amazon.com/WYMECT-Cigarette-Lighter-Socket-Adapter/dp/B0F87WNQKB/ref=sr_1_1_sspa? Not sure if they provide the correct amperage that a device like a tire inflator would need.  
    • Core-Lokt
      Wiring Help, Please

      By Core-Lokt · Posted

      Thanks; I looked there a few minutes, and I think I can find something. I really never looked there, as I thought it was stuff like PTO/aftermarket bodies/accessories like snow plows.
    • newdude
      2 speed transfer case optional now?

      By newdude · Posted

      This is a 1/2 ton thing ONLY.  All HDs 2020-2026 have the two speed transfer case, with Autotrac as an option.     1/2 tons 2019-2026, regular 4x4s come with a single speed case (no 4LO!), and trucks with Z71 ordered, or all Trail Boss trucks come with the 2 speed case.  2 speed case is also an option on WT, and is also standard on High Country.  
    • newdude
      Different requirements for oil filters?

      By newdude · Posted

      2013 5.3 still to this day calls for the PF48 filter.  Which as a 15psi bypass pressure.     There is a TSB, 17-NA-157 that talks about the PF-63 and PF-64 filters which have a higher bypass rating of 22psi.    TSB HERE - temp.xml   "Beginning in 2012, the oil pumps began to regulate main gallery feedback instead of pump out pressure. This means that the oil pump now does not begin to regulate until pressure is built up to the main gallery. This change reduces the amount of time it takes to provide oil to the engine bearing and lifters during extreme cold start conditions.  Main gallery feedback oil pump control systems are present on the following engine families which use Spin-on oil filters: Small Gas Engine (SGE), Large Gas Engine (LGE), High Feature (HFV6) Gen2 and Small Block Gen5 gasoline engines. These engines with the main gallery feedback oil pump control systems are factory built with an ACDelco® oil filters"   It also calls out what engines use those filters.  The gen 4 small blocks were not on that list (LMG, LC9, L9H, L92, L94, L20, L96).  Gen 5 small blocks use the higher pressure filter.          That all said...   Your 7045 Napa filter is the PF63 equivalent, with 22psi bypass.  You are already using the higher bypass pressure filter.  You CAN keep using it, you don't technically have to use it though.  
    • Grumpy Bear
      Different requirements for oil filters?

      By Grumpy Bear · Posted

      Do you know WHY the filter relief setting was increased to 22 psig?    When the new system goes into the second stage the pump volume ramps up considerably. It was found that the 15 psi filter bypass setting put the filter in bypass on a warm engine when the second stage was activated. Raising the filter bypass setting forced the filter to do what it designed to do. Filter. Preventing debris from circulating during high load, high rpm operation.    So next question is how did GM find this out? VLOM/lifter failures and a deep dive by Melling Corp.    Last question. Is it required? Look at it like this; a motor may be equipped with a rev limiter. But it only works if the set point in reached. That 22 psig setting only matters if the pressure differential across the filter media exceeds 15 psig during normal warm operation. Second stage kicks in around 3000-3500 rpm.    I can't answer your question because I don't know you and how you use the truck. But I think there is enough information here to let you decide for yourself. 😉

  • GM-Trucks.com Clubs

  • Popular Contributors

×
×
  • Create New...